Turkey ranked as strongest military power in Middle East

Reports from Israeli media and the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) highlight Turkey’s growing military and strategic influence in the Middle East. According to the 2026 Global Firepower Index, Turkey is ranked as the strongest military power in the Middle East and ninth globally. The index, which evaluates 145 countries based on over 60 parameters including defense technology and advanced weaponry, places Israel second in the region and 15th in the world.

Turkey’s rise is attributed to its expanding domestic defense industry, particularly in the fields of aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which has reduced its external dependency.

Additionally, a report by the JPPI indicates that Israeli strategic concerns are increasing, with Turkey identified as the second most significant threat in the region, following Iran. The findings suggest that Israel is closely monitoring Turkey’s regional moves as the balance of power in the Middle East shifts.